The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), in collaboration with the National Association of Registered Midwives-Ghana, Greater Accra Chapter (NARM-GAR), will organise a free health outreach at Makola Market in Accra on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, as part of activities to mark this year’s International Day of the Midwife.

The exercise, which would be held at the Makola Market under the global theme, “One Million More Midwives,” would offer free health education and medical screening services to traders, market women and members of the public.

The International Day of the Midwife is observed globally to recognise the invaluable contribution of midwives to the health and well-being of mothers, newborns, and families, while creating awareness of the critical role midwives play in maternal, newborn, and reproductive health.

This year’s theme underscores the pressing need for increased investment in midwifery to help address the global shortage of approximately 980,000 midwives.

As part of the programme, participants would benefit from health talks on family planning, contraceptives and abortion, aimed at deepening public understanding of reproductive health choices and encouraging informed decision-making among women, men and young people.

The outreach would also provide free screening services, including blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, Hepatitis B and C screening, typhoid screening, HIV testing, mental health assessment, and eye screening, among others.

The Mayor of Accra, Hon Michael Kpakpo Allotey, who disclosed this on Thursday, said the collaboration formed part of the Assembly’s commitment to promoting preventive healthcare and improving access to basic health services for residents within the metropolis.

He said the exercise would create an opportunity for traders, market women, and the general public to know their health status, receive professional medical advice, and seek early attention where necessary.

The Mayor noted that health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, hepatitis, HIV, mental health conditions and eye-related problems continued to affect many people, stressing that regular screening remained critical to early detection, treatment and effective management.

He indicated that the inclusion of family planning education was important because it would help individuals and families make informed choices on childbirth spacing, maternal health, and general family wellbeing.

He said the AMA remained committed to supporting initiatives that brought healthcare closer to the people, particularly traders, market women, and other residents whose daily activities sometimes made it difficult for them to visit health facilities regularly.

The focal person for the NARM-GAR, Madam Rosetta N. Boakye said the celebration would also highlight the invaluable contribution of midwives to safe pregnancy, safe delivery, and the overall health of mothers and babies.

She said midwifery remained central to healthcare delivery, particularly in reducing maternal and newborn complications through education, counselling, antenatal care, skilled delivery, and postnatal support.

Madam Boakye said the outreach was also intended to raise awareness about the midwifery profession and the need for society to appreciate and support midwives in their work.

She urged women of reproductive age, nursing mothers, men, young people, traders, and residents of Accra to take full advantage of the exercise.

“We encourage everyone, especially women of reproductive age, nursing mothers, men, and young people, to take full advantage of this opportunity. Know your health status, receive professional guidance, and take proactive steps towards a healthier future,” she said.

Madam Boakye further encouraged the public to visit the outreach grounds at Makola Market, saying the programme would provide an important opportunity for participants to receive essential health services at no cost.

The outreach is expected to help promote healthier families, strengthen public awareness on reproductive health, and reaffirm the important role of midwives in community healthcare delivery.